Advice following lithotripsy: Frequently asked questions

Medications

Please read carefully the medicine information leaflet inside the box before you take any tablets.

Painkillers

Naproxen 250mg tablets – take up to three times a day if required.

Paracetamol can be taken, as directed on the packet, if required.

If you have asthma or a stomach ulcer, or have sensitivity to aspirin, you may not be able to take naproxen. Please inform the nurse/ doctor so an alternative can be provided.

Please note on the day of your treatment you can only have one tablet due to the painkillers received before treatment.

Additional points

Please make sure you are drinking two to three litres of fluid each day to ensure any stone fragments are flushed through and to help prevent reoccurrence.

You may experience some bruising to the site of treatment. This is normal and will disappear over a few days.

You may see some blood in your urine for a few days; this is normal but if you are concerned about heavy or prolonged bleeding contact your GP.

You may experience symptoms of a urine infection (frequency, burning or stinging on passing urine, lower abdominal pain, high temperature). If this happens please consult your GP.

There is a chance you may pass some stone fragments. This may cause severe pain (renal colic) which if uncontrolled by the painkillers we have supplied or you are experiencing nausea, vomiting or high temperature, you should attend your nearest accident and emergency department.

It is advisable to monitor your urine for stone fragments that you may pass. Where possible it is advisable to pass urine through a sieve to catch any fragments you may pass. If this occurs please bring the sample with you to the next appointment and we can send the stone to be analysed.

If you were taking warfarin, aspirin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban, edoxaban or clopidogrel, ticagrelor or blood thinning medication please restart this as directed by the specialist undertaking your treatment.

Who can I contact for more help or information?

Oncology nurses

Uro-oncology nurse specialist
01223 586748

Bladder cancer nurse practitioner (haematuria, chemotherapy and BCG)
01223 274608

Prostate cancer nurse practitioner
01223 274608 or 01223 216897

Surgical care practitioner
01223 348590 or 01223 256157

Non-oncology nurses

Urology nurse practitioner (incontinence, urodynamics, catheter patients)
01223 274608

Urology nurse practitioner (stoma care)
01223 349800

Urology nurse practitioner (stone disease)
07860 781828

Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)

Telephone: 01223 216756
PatientLine: *801 (from patient bedside telephones only)
Email PALS

Mail: PALS, Box No 53
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ

Chaplaincy and multi faith community

Telephone: 01223 217769
Email the chaplaincy

Mail: The Chaplaincy, Box No 105
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ

MINICOM System ("type" system for the hard of hearing)

Telephone: 01223 217589

Access office (travel, parking and security information)

Telephone: 01223 596060